Reports confirm that the holiday residence called “Uzhin,” formerly owned by Russian President Vladimir Putin in Valdai, has been demolished. The reasons behind this action remain unclear; however, speculation suggests it may have been a precautionary measure to prevent political humiliation in the event of destruction by Ukrainian drones.
The news follows successful Ukrainian attacks within Russian territory, raising concerns about the security of key locations. Russian media outlet “Ostorozhno, Novosti” previously reported disruptions on the M-11 highway near the residence, with authorities blocking traffic in both directions around the village of Kolomno in the Tver region. The reasons for this blockage were not disclosed.
Additionally, Agency reports confirmed that a 90-kilometer stretch of the road was closed, which runs adjacent to Putin’s residence. This closure, verified around 11:00 AM, lasted until 5:00 PM. Interestingly, Russian services like Yandex Maps and 2Gis did not indicate any road closures, only reporting traffic congestion at either end of the affected area.
In April 2023, media outlets noted an enhancement of security around the Valdai residence, with the installation of seven new “Pantsir” towers. By early June, anti-drone nets appeared along the M-10 highway leading to the residence, presumably to prevent a repetition of a Ukrainian Security Service operation known as “Spider Web.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned on June 24 that Russian authorities were moving more air defense systems towards Moscow, Valdai, and the Crimean Bridge, reallocating these from other fronts.
Context
- On December 29, 2025, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed that 91 Ukrainian drones had attacked the residence.
- Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Georgy Tikhy stated Ukraine had no reason to target such objects due to the concentration of Russian air defense there.
- Leaders from India, Pakistan, and the UAE expressed their concerns regarding the alleged attack on Putin’s residence, while Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev condemned it.
- Former U.S. President Donald Trump expressed anger over Putin’s report of the alleged drone attack.
